ComEd's New Electric Modernization Plans to Create Over 2,400 Jobs in Chicago

Area Development News Desk

01/09/2012

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Part of ComEd's massive $1.1 billion electric infrastructure modernization plan will bring over 2,400 jobs and a utility worker training center to Chicago, according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and ComEd President Anne Pramaggiore.

"You cannot have 20th-century technology in the 21st century," said Emanuel, "and while we modernizing our energy backbone, we will modernize the workforce."

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, one of America's largest electric utilities. ComEd provides service to about 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois (about 70 percent of the state's population).

About 350 to 400 of the almost direct new 1,000 jobs associated with the Chicago investment will be created this year, said Pramaggiore.

ComEd's planned system enhancements in Chicago are being undertaken as a result of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) enacted by the Illinois General Assembly last fall. As authorized by EIMA, ComEd will invest $2.6 billion into the Illinois economy.

The energy firm expects Chicago also will benefit from the creation of 1,500 more jobs in the state associated with various programs tied to EIMA. These new positions are not related to the infrastructure investment.